Page 31 of A Duke But No Gentleman
“Miss Faston,” Imogene exclaimed, dismayed that she had lost an ally.“Do not encourage him.”
Blackbern thinks I am beautiful?
The woman shook her head.“I have the right to complain since Lord Asher failed to see me until he actually fell on me like a mighty oak tree.”
“Permit me to apologize again for my clumsiness,” Lord Asher said, recovering some of his dignity when Miss Faston complimented his impressive physique.
“Bid your friends farewell, my goddess,” Blackbern said, capturing her wrist as if he expected her to cause him more trouble.“We have an appointment to keep.”
Cassia was the only one who appeared uncertain about leaving Imogene to the duke’s tender mercies.“What should I tell your mother?”
“Tell her nothing.”The distance between her and her companions was widening with each step.“I will explain everything.”
Blackbern had the audacity to laugh.“Not very skilled at lying, are you?”Without asking her permission, he lifted her into his carriage.“If you need a tutor, I am available.I am well versed in this particular art.”
“I will pass on your offer,” Imogene said, rearranging her skirt.
“You might be amazed what I can teach you,” was the duke’s enigmatic reply.The carriage dipped as he settled in beside her.“I know I am curious to see how brave you are.”
***
His challenge had managed to silence Imogene.She was still angry, her posture seemed to convey her defiance and contempt toward him for sins real and imaginary.Tristan had never found troublesome chits appealing, but there was something about Imogene that made him want to ruffle her sleek feathers.He wondered what would happen if he taught her to channel her outrage into passion.The results might be worth facing the dragon’s wrath.
It was obvious Imogene had inherited her fierce temper from her mother.
Their companionable quiet lasted ten minutes.
“I am not talking to you.”
He bit the inside of his cheek and offered no opinion.
She huffed and muttered under her breath.“I cannot believe you speculated on my monthlies.”Her lower lip quivered as if she was contemplating to sulk about it the entire drive.
To spare himself the grief, he said, “In my experience—”
“As far as I know, you do not have a mother, sister, or wife,” she said, tapping her fingers as if each one was important.“Do not presume to share your opinion on the subject because any knowledge you possess likely came from other gentlemen.”
Her uncharacteristic bluntness hit close enough to the mark for him to wince, but she had forgotten another sort of female—a mistress.Since there was no benefit to winning the argument, he held his tongue.However, there were other ways to bait his prickly companion.“So was I correct?Is that why you were so angry with me?”
“The subject is not open for discussion,” she said in forbidding tones.“As for the reason why I was angry… you embarrassed me in front of my friends.You spoke to me as if we were—we were—” She audibly swallowed and shook her head.
Her shy, awkward manner disarmed him.His expression softened as he took pity on her.“I implied a certain intimacy.”
Instead of pouting, she nibbled on her lower lip.“That we are lovers?Yes.It was cruel of you and it was wrong to give them a false impression about our friendship.”
“Why do you assume it is false?”he softly countered, tugging on the reins to slow his horses.Securing the reins, he turned until his knees brushed against her skirt.“I am beguiled, my lady.”He allowed her a minute to ponder his declaration.“If given the slightest encouragement, I would seize it.I would tutor you in the carnal arts, and we would become intimate.Lovers.I could show you a side of your nature you have been forced to bind with whalebone and layers of linen and silk.I would show you pleasure beyond your wildest dreams, drugging your senses with my lips, my fingers, and my cock.”
Her cheeks turned pink at his frank language.“You are not supposed to speak to me like this.”She was only beginning to comprehend what he had sensed from their first meeting.
“Why?I am offering you a glimpse of the future.It is your choice.”
It won’t be if Norgrave has it his way.
She shook her head as if denying their attraction would quell it.He desired her.The damn wager might have spurred him into action, but she had unknowingly sealed her fate when she had accidentally collided into him.Each meeting whetted his appetite, leaving him yearning for a few more minutes with her, a flirtatious glance, and the sound of her laughter caressing him like a lover’s hand.
Lust nibbled at his restraint until he thought he might go mad if he did not bed her.He had seriously contemplated losing himself in another woman, but he had dismissed the notion the moment she had kissed him.
Imogene was unaware of the power she had over him.His virginal goddess had placed a spell on him, and a part of him resented her for it.He felt as if she had gelded him, because no other lady would do until he could break the enchantment.
